The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-15
RIDDLED WITH BUCKSTT0T
A TuRPENTINE HAND SHOT WHILE
TRYING TO MAKE PEACE.

John Powell Shoots Creighton Flovd
at Yates Still in Tattnan County-A
Drunken Quarrel Ends in the Muir
der of an Innocent Man.
s. a. Rogers, of Tattnall county, passed
through the city yesterday with the body OF
Creighton Floyd, who was shot and killed
in Tattnall on Saturday night.
FLOYD lost his life through the mistake OF
an angry drunkard while he was trying &c
make peace.
The tragedy occurred at Yates
turpentine still, where Floyd was employed
as a still hand, and two men named John
Powell aud Gibson Carr as woodsmen
Powell had house Of his own, and Carr
had room in it, and boarded there. On
Saturday, Powell and Carr both began
drinking, and quit work to go on a spree
Floyd attended to their work for them IN
order to save them their positions At night
while Carr and Powell were at supper, they
began TO quarrel What their dispute was
no one knows, not even Powell. IT was
simply a drunken brawL Powell became
angered and threatened to strike Carr with
a char, but the latter left the house, and
>
THE FATAL FIRE.
Floyd and Baker, also employees of the
still, heard of the quarrel, and fearing the
two men might get into trouble while they
were under the influence of liquor, they went
over TO Powells as peacemakers. Chey en-
tered and found Mrs. Powell within. They
told her their errand and she entreated them
to keen her husband and Carr apart, as she
was afraid one of them would hurt the other
She said that Powell had gone out, and she
thought that he had gone TO Carriers shanty,
about $50 yards away. Floyd ana BAKER
started toward the shanty. just after they
left the house Powell came in. He was ex
cited and angry. He said that Carr was
hanging around the house trying to get
chance to shoot him. He picked up
his shotgun and went out in front of
the house. Mrs. Powell became very
much frightened, and screamed for help.
She called to Floyd aud Baker to come back
and they turned and started for Powell's III
a run. Floyd was in the lead, and a few
steps brought him in sight. Powell saw
him. and without a moments hesitation
fired Floyd fell riddled with buckshot.
SHOT TO PIECES.
The greater part of the charge lodged in
his abdomen, which was literally torn to
pieces, but scattering shot struck him in
other parts of the body, hips and legs. He
fell to the ground, ana aPowell and Baker
ran to him. As soon as he found what be
had done Powell expressed the greatest
grief He said that he thought it was Carr
he was shooting. Floyd was taken into the
house. and messengers sent on horseback
for physicians. It was thought that Floyd
would not live but a few minutes,
but he did not die until
Sunday morning Floyd said to the doctors
when they arrived: Powell shot me and
killed me, but he had no cause" That was
the only time he mentioned Powells name
or referred to him. He begged Mr.. Yates
to send him back to Robertson county,
North Carolina, where his family is, for NJ
said he wanted to see his father and moth n
once more before he died. Finding that ne
had only few hours to live, he exactsd
promise that he should be sent back home to
be buried.
THE SLAYER NOT SEEN.
Mr.. Rogers left the neighborhoGd Sunday
night, and up to that time Powell had not
been arrested. As soon as he found that he
had killed Floyd, not Carr, he left his home,
and though he remained in the vicinity, he
did not show himself.
Floyd was a young man about 10 years
Of age, and a steady, bard-worklng man.
who never drank, but always attended to
his work in a most faithful manner He
has been at Yates stjfl since the first of the
year, and Mr.. Ystgs said he was one of the
most faithful Ipen he hes ever employed.
In accordance with his request his remains
were prepayed for shipment. They were
taken in 4, ryaSon to No. 4 and they came
in yesterday morning. They wero sent
forward last night on the Charleston train,
and they viii arrive in Robertson county
tbs morning. His family knew nothing of
ais death until Mr.. Rogers telegraphed
them yesterday morning to meet the re
mains at the station